Hamilton under more pressure

Seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton is under “way more pressure” than his Formula One title rival Max Verstappen, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has said.

Verstappen (23) leads Mercedes’ Hamilton by five points in the championship after 14 of 22 races, but will start today’s Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after an engine change.

Hamilton (36) will be expected to regain the overall lead in Sochi, with a compliant teammate in Valtteri Bottas and at a track where Mercedes have won every race since the first in 2014. The two title rivals sparred verbally on Thursday with Hamilton saying he knew from experience how much pressure Verstappen was under in chasing a first crown.

The Dutch driver said he was “very chilled” and loving the fight.

“I think Lewis trying to get his eighth title is under way more pressure than Max going for his first,” said Horner.

“Max is just enjoying what he is doing, he is driving better than ever.

“If you want to look how he deals with pressure, just look at Zandvoort (Netherlands). “The intense pressure he was under that weekend.

“He is enjoying driving the car, he is enjoying the challenge, he is enjoying the competition and he is got nothing to lose,” added the Briton. — Reuters.